To A Young Beauty

Portrait of William Butler Yeats
William Butler Yeats 1865–1939

Dear fellow-artist, why so free With every sort of company, With every Jack and Jill? Choose your companions from the best; Who draws a bucket with the rest Soon topples down the hill.

You may, that mirror for a school, Be passionate, not bountiful As common beauties may, Who were not born to keep in trim With old Ezekiel's cherubim But those of Beauvarlet.

I know what wages beauty gives, How hard a life her setvant lives, Yet praise the winters gone: There is not a fool can call me friend, And I may dine at journey's end With Landor and with Donne.

Keep reading

Discover more of William Butler Yeats’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion 1 comment

Add your reading ↓
Readers
1
Longest reading
Kayla24 words
  1. Kayla United States

    What is the significance of this poem? Does it hold a deeper meaning about the world or Yeats life in general? Please help me!!

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.